2010 NFL Draft Update: Five Players Who Could Still Declare Before Jan. 15th

According to Joe Schad, this year has seen a record number of juniors and redshirt sophomores declare to enter the NFL draft early.

Whether they're spooked about the prospect of a rookie salary cap, learned from the Bradford Example, or just like their positioning in the mock-ups, many of the country's top players won't be finishing their degrees like their mothers had hoped.

Here are five of the last remaining players who could still declare for the draft. They've got until Jan. 15 to decide. Stay tuned.

Jake Locker, Washington QB

Yes, but the USC athletic administration just whiffed on Jack Del Rio after missing out on Mike Riley and barely enticing Jeff Fisher. Washington head coach and ex-offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian has to be somewhere on their list of coaches that can replace Pete Carroll.

Plus, Sarkisian's already used the Worldwide Leader as a passive-aggressive launching pad for his candidacy, telling them he "hasn't been contacted," which equates to waving a hanky in their direction.

Losing Sarkisian as a mentor would seriously derail Locker's ambitions for a Pac-10 title and further improvement in a pro-style system at Washington. He's guaranteed to go high in the draft and maybe even complicate the battle for "First QB Taken."

Mike Pouncey, Florida OG

His brother Maurkice is splitting the band up by entering the NFL draft, and though I have a lot of respect for Mike's decision to return for his senior season, it's probably not in his best interest.

A host of other Florida players are departing, including the most recent defection, junior safety Major Wright. Plus, with a new quarterback and an iffy defense, tough times could be ahead for the Gators. Off of a solid season, I think it's best the Pouncey Brothers show a little solidarity.